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Niladri Basu

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Niladri Basu, PhD
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  • Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Environmental Health Sciences at McGill University
  • Full Professor, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University
  • Adjunct Professor, University of Michigan School of Public Health
  • Over 270 peer-reviewed publications and $40M+ in research funding
  • Leader in New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) and environmental justice
  • Co-leads the EcoToxChip Project and advises on global chemicals management
Niladri Basu
Niladri Basu
Credit: McGill University

Introduction
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Niladri Basu, PhD, is a globally recognized leader in environmental health sciences, specializing in ecotoxicology, exposure science, and environmental justice. His research bridges environmental quality and human health, with a focus on toxic chemicals, mercury, and the development of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for chemical risk assessment. Dr. Basu’s work has informed international policy, including the Minamata Convention and Canada’s Chemicals Management Plan, and has been widely covered by major media outlets.

Professional Background and Achievements
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Dr. Basu holds a Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Environmental Health Sciences and is a Full Professor in the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at McGill University. He is jointly appointed in the Department of Natural Resource Sciences, the School of Human Nutrition, the School of the Environment, and the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health. He also maintains an Adjunct Professorship at the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

Dr. Basu earned his B.Sc. in Environmental Sciences and Life Sciences from Queen’s University (1999), his M.Sc. in Environmental Toxicology from the University of British Columbia (2002), and his Ph.D. in Environmental Health Sciences from McGill University (2005). He completed a NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship with Environment Canada and the Canadian Wildlife Service, as well as the Center for Advanced Research in Environmental Genomics at the University of Ottawa.

His leadership roles include serving on grant review panels for the US EPA STAR program and Deepwater Horizon, organizing international scientific sessions, and editing for key journals such as Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Environment International, and Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety.

Awards and Recognitions
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  • 2013-2023 – Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Environmental Health Sciences
  • 2021 – OECD Cooperative Research Program (CRP) Fellowship
  • 2013 – Excellence in Teaching, UM School of Public Health
  • 2009 – Environmental Health Sciences Communication Fellow

Research Areas and Projects
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Dr. Basu’s research program is built on three pillars: intersectoral empathy, multidisciplinary knowledge, and environmental justice. His work addresses pressing societal concerns over toxic chemicals in the environment, with a focus on:

  • Innovating environmental biotechnology: EcoToxChip Project, toxicogenomics, and high-throughput approaches to tackle pollution.
  • Community-driven research: Public health- and environmental justice-oriented projects, especially with Indigenous Peoples and informal sector workers.
  • Global synthesis and policy: Research to support chemicals management, the Minamata Convention, and systematic reviews for policy uptake.

His team’s work has been supported by over $40M in research funding and has resulted in more than 270 peer-reviewed publications.

Major Publications
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Title Journal Year Link
Breaking the “Toxic Ignorance Cycles” that Hinder New Approach Method (NAM) Acceptance in Environmental Risk Assessment Environmental Science & Technology 2025 link
Progress on New Approach Methods (NAMs) in Ecotoxicology Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 2025 link
A State-of-the-Art Review of Indigenous Peoples and Environmental Pollution Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management 2020 link
EcoToxChip: A next-generation toxicogenomics tool for chemical prioritization and environmental management Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 2019 link
Applications and Implications of Neurochemical Biomarkers in Environmental Toxicology Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 2015 link

Media and Public Engagement
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Dr. Basu’s research has been featured in major media outlets, including NPR, Associated Press, Discovery Channel, Bloomberg News, The Guardian, and documentaries by UK Channel 4 and France’s Extinction TV. He is a frequent speaker at national and international conferences and has delivered over 500 scientific presentations, including more than 80 invited talks.

Interviews and Talks
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Research Profiles
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References
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[1] Basu, Niladri - Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University
[2] Nil Basu - Environmental Health Sciences Lab, McGill University
[3] Niladri (Nil) Basu - Google Scholar
[4] Thought leader interview with Dr. Niladri Basu from McGill University
[5] A State-of-the-Art Review of Indigenous Peoples and Environmental Pollution